France's big-spending clubs are ready to flex their financial muscle to lure Dan Carter to the Top 14.

Carter signed a four-year contract extension shortly before the start of last year's World Cup, but it included the option of a six-minth sabbatical. If the 30-year-old exercises the clause it would be the second time he has appeared in the Top 14. An Achilles injury meant he only appeared four times for Perpignan after joining the Catalan club at the start of 2008.

Racing Metro and free-spending Toulon are reportedly the two most interested parties, though they are reported to face competition from Bath to bring Carter to the Aviva Premiership.

"Boudjellal has been in contact with Dan's representatives so it will probably come down to a bidding war between therm and Metro," an unnamed source told The Rugby Paper. "Metro really want to bring him over and what they have in their favour is that Carter (right) is set to have a young family and Paris would be very attractive in that regard."